This week Pope Benedict XVI is visiting us in the United States. His visit is a great blessing to us and to our country. But what is Pope Benedict like? In this lesson we will get to know him a bit better as a person. We will also look at his mission as our Holy Father, and present a few ideas about what he might say to us as young people.

Growing Up in Tough Times

Joseph Ratzinger was born on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany. That area of Germany  is called Bavaria and is known for the strong Catholic faith of its people and their contagious joy. 

This joy was truncated, however, when Pope Benedict was only six years old. Adolf Hitler took over Germany in 1933 and eventually launched the country into World War II. Joseph’s father, a retired policeman, opposed the Nazi regime, and later as a teen Joseph himself refused to join the Hitler Youth organization, even though this meant he would be given less financial help by the government for his studies. 

However, a teacher, who was afraid young Joseph would be punished for his refusal, secretly enrolled Joseph in the Hitler Youth organization. Still, Joseph refused to go to the training sessions. He was lucky the Nazis did not retaliate.

Faith and Family

Joseph’s family was poor, but they had a strong love for each other which kept them together and even through austere times. He had an older brother and an older sister with whom he was very close. His sister died a few years ago, but his brother is still alive and is also a priest. 

His parents had a very strong faith, and Joseph began to experience a strong love for Christ and for his Catholic faith from a young age. 

Teen Seminary Terminated  

      

He testifies that “the next two years were very difficult.” Some of his companions from the seminary were killed in front of his eyes. Many other friends died in the war as well. He narrowly escaped death himself. At the end of the war all the soldiers were taken prisoners, but eventually he was able to return home.

As a priest, bishop, cardinal, and now as Pope, Joseph Ratzinger has often spoken out about the evils of the Nazi system.  

First Contact with Americans

Interestingly, young Joseph first met Americans when he was a prisoner at the end of World War II. The Americans, as victors of the war, ran the prison camp where he was processed. He was impressed by their fairness and kindness. 

He was also impressed by how America poured millions of dollars into rebuilding Germany after World War II when it could have exacted a heavy revenge instead. American Cardinal William Levada, who helps Pope Benedict in the Vatican says, “He’s of a generation that remembers, gratefully.”

Gift for Theology

Young Joseph Ratzinger resumed his studies for the priesthood immediately after his release, even though his old seminary had been destroyed by the war.

 

He was ordained a priest when he was 24. Even during his seminary years it was clear that he had a special gift for the study of the faith (theology), and so he was asked to become a professor at the seminary and then at the university. 

He served the Church many years as a theology professor, studying and instructing others on different points of Catholic teaching. His classes were very popular among the students. The university students were attracted by the combination of depth and simplicity in his classes and by the love for Christ that his explanations stirred in them. He very much loved his work as professor.

During the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) he was named a special consultor to the bishops, in spite of the fact that he was much younger than almost all the other experts. 

Wider Mission

At the age of 50, much to his surprise, Pope Paul VI asked him to head the large archdiocese of Munich, Germany. He was consecrated as archbishop, and a month later was named a cardinal. 

In 1981, when he was 54, Pope John Paul II asked him to take a difficult position in Rome as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. 

t was not a job he wanted, because it often entails receiving vicious criticism, but he knew this was the way Christ had called him to serve the Holy Father.

This responsibility gave him a special role of answering questions on how to be faithful to Catholic teachings. He worked very closely with the Pope John Paul II in this area. The Catechism of the Catholic Church was one of the projects that he and his commission worked on for six years.

Unimpressed with Himself

What is our Holy Father like as a person? The first word used by those who know him is always “humble”. As cardinal, one could often see him walking across St. Peter’s Square on his way home or on his way to a meeting with the Pope, stopping to greet anyone who approached him along the way, and often giving directions to those who did not even know who he was. 

As Pope he has surprised the world by his unassuming nature. People love to come to see him in Rome and receive his blessing. They realize he is a truly holy man who brings us closer to God.

True Spiritual Fatherhood

Pope Benedict XVI understands that a true father gives everything he is and has to care for his children. The word “Pope” comes from the Greek language and means father or dad. We call him the Holy Father because he is the representative of Christ and is an image of the fatherhood of God. 

A father is the one who can help us when we have an important question, or when we are confused about something. Through his teaching at the university level, his kind advice to students, his books and articles, his work in helping Pope John Paul II, , and now through his preaching and writing as pope, Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, he has always been there to counsel and instruct in the truth. He continues this mission of counsel today as our spiritual father.

A good father is brave, and unafraid of anybody when it comes to protecting us. He knows how to recognize evil and how to recognize good, and he is there to give us advice and guidance. Even in the face of criticism, he knows how to stand up for what is right, and teaches us to do so as well.

 

A Hero in Hard Times

 A father also believes in us and builds our confidence in who we are. Our culture often invites us to destroy the rules of good and evil and only follow the waves of feelings, even when this can lead to emptiness and death.         

Pope Benedict believes that we can do better than this, and hopes in us as the force that can transform society. He always speaks to us of Christ, of the truth, and of the noble ideals we can attain. 

  

Looking for Young People

Even though Pope Benedict will be in this country only five days, and has many other important encounters with political and religious leaders, he is dedicating April 19th in a special way to youth. What will Pope Benedict talk about in his encounter with us?

We cannot know for sure. This is a Pope of surprises, and he always has something new and powerful to say to us. Nevertheless, here is a small list of ideas to watch for:

• Look to Christ as our Lord and best friend. Talk with him. Learn from him. Make him our most intimate companion. We can only win when we take Christ more deeply into our lives.
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• Be brave and challenge the culture around us. Challenge it with the love and truth of Christ. 
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• Live charity. Only love can save the world.
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• Live hope. As Christians, we can face difficult circumstances because we know that, whatever happens to us, we are definitively loved by Christ, and we are awaited by this love. The world needs Christian hope. 
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• Tell the Good News about human life to the world. Promote a culture that respects the dignity of every human life, from conception until natural death. Life is always a treasure. Help the world rediscover this truth.
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• Build a culture that respects the environment. Keep in mind that the environment is not only material. It is also spiritual. Help create a human ecology in our culture. 

A Present for the Pope

The Holy Father wants to show us how much he loves young people. His visit is a small gift to us. There is a gift we can give him in return. We can give him is our hearts and our hands. Yes, our best “thank you” to Our Holy Father will be putting our faith into action in our lives, as he has shown us. Our country and our world will be a caught on fire if we do this, a fire that will change hearts and history.

Bible Blurbs 

You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church … I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 16:18)

Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching… As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. ( 2 Timothy  4:2-5)

Pope Quotes

 Today, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. ( Benedict XVI, April 24, 2005)        

 Do not be afraid, dear friends, to prefer the “alternative” routes pointed out by true love. (Benedict XVI, September 2, 2007)I encourage you to persevere on the path on which you have set out, collaborating in the thrilling task of bringing to your peers the indescribable good fortune to know that they are loved by God. (Benedict XVI, August 9, 2007)

   

 Catechism Clips
880 When Christ instituted the Twelve, he constituted [them] in the form of a college or permanent assembly, at the head of which he placed Peter, chosen from among them.    

881 The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the “rock” of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock.

882 The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter’s successor, is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful.

86 Yet this Magisterium is not superior to the Word of God, but is its servant. It teaches only what has been handed on to it. At the divine command and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it listens to this devoutly, guards it with dedication, and expounds it faithfully. All that it proposes for belief as being divinely revealed is drawn from this single deposit of faith.

Saints and Heroes 

A Leader in Difficult Times

 

St Gregory the Great, Pope, Doctor of the Church (entered heaven in 604)

Gregory was born into an important family of ancient Rome, and his family was devoutly Christian.  Unfortunately, invaders from northern Europe, plagues (deadly diseases) and widespread violence had reduced Rome, once the center of the Empire, to a broken down backwash.  As a young adult Gregory took up a career in civil service, doing all he could to restore order and prosperity to Rome and its surrounding townships. 

But soon the call to serve God alone became too strong to resist, so he gave his fortune to the city and turned his family’s large home into a monastery (a place where monks live, pray, work, and study).  He was happy there for three years, but he was brought back into public affairs when the Pope sent him as ambassador on a difficult mission. His efforts met with success, but his heart desired to go back to a life dedicated to God and prayer. 

When the Pope died, however, Gregory’s zeal, intelligence, and charity made him the obvious choice for the new Pope, which he became in 590. His leadership led the suffering city through more invasions, plagues, and famines, while at the same time he helped make Catholic culture a source of betterment for society throughout the Middle Ages.  

Above all, he strived to please and honor God by pouring himself out in service of his Kingdom. He never rested, even though he suffered from chronic health problems. One of his last actions was to send a heavy cloak to a poor bishop who had difficulty making it through the cold winters. Even today his writings are studied by Catholics in order to gain light and strength. (Adapted from www.collegecompass.org) 

Pope Helped Her Clarify Her Vocation

Saint Katherine Drexel, Foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (entered heaven on March 3, 1955)

Katherine’s father was one of America’s great bankers, but from the get-go, he knew that any wealth he acquired was simply a loan (from God, that is), and he always looked to invest it in eternity.  And he taught his three daughters to do the same.  Katharine’s older sister Elizabeth founded a Pennsylvania trade school for orphans, and her younger sister founded a liberal arts and vocational school for poor African Americans in Virginia.  And then there was Katherine.

A family trip west sparked her vocation.  They visited the Native American reservations, and she was scandalized by the injustice and poverty they had to endure.  Later, she saw how the freed African Americans suffered similar injustice and discrimination.  Soon Katherine decided to use her inheritance to serve these Native and African Americans.  So she started up missions and schools.  

At one point she went to visit Pope Leo XIII in Rome in order to ask the Holy Father for missionaries to come staff her schools. But the Pope asked her why she didn’t simply become a missionary herself. His words touched her heart and gave her light. She decided to give her entire life to God and others.  With the help of a bishop, she began a community of nuns and became one herself. By the time of her death, 60 institutions dedicated to education and charity had sprung up, along with the religious order she had begun in order to staff these schools and institutes and in order fill these institutions with Christ’s charity, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. They even started a university which still exists today. 

Those who knew Katherine were always impressed by her charity and serene joy. There is no joy that compares to the joy of loving Christ with our whole self, holding nothing back. (Adapted from www.collegecompass.org)

Virtue Verification 

Advice – recommendation regarding a decision or course of conduct

Believe – 1) to have a firm religious faith 2) to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy or ability of someone 

Brave – having courage; dauntless

Calling – a vocation (from God) or strong inner prompting to a particular course of action

Cardinal – A high official in the Roman Catholic Church, ranking next to the Pope. Every cardinal is appointed by the Pope, and assists and advises the Holy Father in the government of the Church. When a pope dies, the College of Cardinals elects the new pope.

Challenge –a summons that tries to encourage action and response; a calling to account or into question

Charity - the love of God for humanity; love for one’s fellow human beings

Counsel – advice given, especially as a result of consultation

Depth – the quality of having profound insight or full knowledge; the quality of being complete or thorough

Dignity - worthiness; nobility or elevation of character

Environment – 1) the complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors, such as climate, soil and living things, that act on an ecological community and help determine its form and survival. 2) the combination of social and cultural conditions that influence the life of an individual or community.

Faith - personal relationship with God; trust in God

Faithful – steadfast in affection or allegiance; firm in adherence to promises or to duty

Gift - something given voluntarily without charge; present

Good News – the message that God loves us and is close to us; the message of God’s love which Jesus Christ (God himself in the person of God the Son) brought; the teachings of Christ; the freedom from sin and death brought by Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.

Gratitude - consciousness of benefit received; expressing thankfulness or appreciation

Guidance – the direction provided by someone who is familiar with a route and leads another’s way 

Holy – dedicated entirely to God; someone (especially God) who is worthy of dedication and trust because of his goodness and righteousness. 

Hope - trust in God; trust that God wants the best for us; confidence that Jesus waits for us in heaven and accompanies us on earth; Hope is one of the three theological virtues given to us at baptism. 

Human Ecology - respect for nature and for our environment not only on a physical level, but also by means of an upright moral life

Humble – not proud or haughty; unpretentious; docile to God’s voice; readiness to say “yes” to God (like Christ and Mary). 

Instruct – to give knowledge, to teach, train; to provide with authoritative information or advice

Joy - 1) a state of happiness or felicity; 2) one of fruits of the Holy Spirit listed by St. Paul in Galatians 5:22. Joy is the result of seeing and doing things from God’s perspective and from his love, influenced by his Spirit. 

Kindness – help or affection arising from sympathy, love, and forbearance.

Love  - 1) a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person: Kindness, respect, and generosity towards others  2) love for God; love of others from God’s point of view.

Mission – a task with which a person or group is charged; the act of sending (someone to do something); the ministry of spreading the faith or helping others

Noble – possessing outstanding qualities; very good or excellent

Protect – to shield or cover from injury or destruction, guard

Recognize (discern) – to perceive clearly, realize; to perceive to be something or someone previously known.

Respect - an act of giving particular attention: consideration; a high or special regard: esteem

Simplicity – clarity, directness of expression; being uncomplicated or uncompounded

Spiritual – relating to the immaterial part of the person; relating to things affecting the spirit or soul of a person 

Truth - Conformity with fact or reality

Unassuming – modest, not arrogant or presuming

 

When we hear that a gunman walked into a school and took some students hostage we immediately think, “That was wrong.” When our parents tell us we can’t go out with our friends tonight we immediately want to know why. When we hear someone got an “A” on a test without studying and without cheating we ask how they did it.

Our brains work that way. We make judgments about right and wrong. We look for causes. We try to figure things out. We do this because we are gifted with reason . Our reason is a small participation in God’s spirit.

Recently Pope Benedict XVI spoke about reason. His speech caused quite a controversy because of one of the quotes he used. Let’s take a look at his words and what he was trying to say.

A topic chosen

The speech was made in Regensburg, Germany.    Pope Benedict was visiting his homeland. During his visit there were a couple of themes that ran through all his speeches, homilies, and words. One theme was the closeness of God to our lives. Another central theme of his visit was the relationship between faith and reason. Faith and reason was his theme in the speech at Regensburg.

The quote

Benedict XVI used the controversial quote early in the speech. It was part of the introduction. The person quoted was the emperor Manuel II Paleologus. He was emperor of the Byzantine Empire in the 1300’s. His empire was under attack by the Muslims. The quote says, “Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.”

Illustrating the nature of God

The quote is strong. The Pope introduced it saying that the question is asked brusquely by the emperor. The point of the Pope in quoting it is not to agree with the statement but to point out that this Christian emperor thought that spreading the faith through violence was unreasonable and did not fit with the nature of God.

The Pope further quotes the emperor: “God is not pleased by blood, and not acting reasonably (“with logos ”) is contrary to God’s nature.” It is an example of Christian thought on the nature of God and the nature of reason.

The main question

But the main point of Benedict XVI in this speech was not this. He simply uses this point to ask a further question: is the fact that the emperor considered that God is reasonable merely the result of a certain culture (the ancient Greek culture) or is it a truth that is always and intrinsically true? Is it absolutely true that God is always reasonable?

Reason and God together

The Pope goes on to point out how Greek thought about reason and biblical thought about God had been drawing closer throughout the development of the Old Testament. They were preparing the way for the definitive revelation of God in the New Testament. In the New Testament Jesus is shown to be Logos , the reason and Word of God (John 1;1).

The Holy Father then states, “A profound encounter of faith and reason is taking place here, an encounter between genuine enlightenment and religion. From the very heart of Christian faith and, at the same time, the heart of Greek thought now joined to faith, Manuel II was able to say: Not to act “with logos”   (with reason) is contrary to God’s nature.” So the Pope answers his question: Yes, God is always reasonable.

Mistaken Rejection

The Pope explains that over the last centuries and in modern times some people have called for Christianity to reject the classical Greek insistence on reason. He spends quite a bit of time describing and criticizing this rejection of the union of faith and reason. He then clarifies that the union of faith and reason was not just a casual happening: “the fundamental decisions made about the relationship between faith and the use of human reason are part of the faith itself; they are developments consonant with the nature of faith itself.”  

Be open to the bigger horizon

Benedict XVI concludes his talk asking that modern scientific inquiry be open to the bigger questions that human reason poses: the questions that have to do with God. There is a danger that we can forget that such questions are legitimate and rational . This would make it very hard for Western science to really enter into a dialogue with all men and all cultures. It would make it impossible for Western science to find the deeper truths of man’s existence. A university, as a place of study, should be open to this type of study because human reason is open to God’s reason.

An alternative to violence

But the Pope was also making another point. He was inviting everyone to reject violence. Violence in the name of religion is unreasonable. His quote showed how sometimes violence in the name of religion had been used in the past. He was pointing out that there is an alternative to violence. That alternative is dialogue. It is a dialogue based on reason. And faith goes with reason. Both faith and reason should reject violence as a way to solve conflicts.

Media weakness

Our media world looks for quick sound bites. It sometimes has trouble going deeper. So when the media found the quote from the medieval emperor, some members of the media thought they had a good sound bite. They did not bother to see if it reflected the Pope’s personal opinion.

The reactions to reading the quote out of context have been dramatic at times. Some voices in the Islamic world have even called for the death of the Pope. This is an ironic twist: while the Pope was calling for dialogue in the name of faith and reason, others were calling for his death, using his invitation to dialogue as their justification.

Courageous invitation

Benedict XVI is a thoughtful man. His words were well thought out and studied. He wanted to invite the Muslim world as well as the West to have confidence in the use of reason. He believes that reason has power. It can penetrate and disarm blind passion. He wanted to put a base for fruitful dialogue by insisting on reason, even if his words might cause some misunderstanding.

One would think that the pope knew that using this quote could cause controversy and that he’d likely take some major heat for it.   Yet, he acted with courage meeting the danger of using a sensitive quote about Muslims, without giving way to the fear of the likely personal verbal attacks and death threats.

Also, one can see wisdom in how the Pope proactively handled the fall out. Benedict XVI used the media attention to engage people all over the world on the issue of faith and reason, especially reaching out to start an active dialogue with Muslim religious leaders.

Increased opportunity

All has not ended badly. The very fact that the Pope’s words attracted so much attention has made the Pope’s efforts for dialogue more noticeable. Pope Benedict has had occasion to explain his words several times and reiterate his esteem for the Muslim faith. His words and gestures have been followed more closely by the Muslim world.

And the Pope’s words have caused some moderate Muslims to stand up and call for calm dialogue as well.

We can only hope that the increased interest in the words of the Holy Father help to create better conditions of dialogue. If ever his voice is needed in the world, it is today when dialogue between Islam and the West has become so strained.

This should also encourage us to get to know the Holy Father’s thought more closely. Our ability to transmit his thought can be a true contribution to the good of the world.

Bible Blurbs

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1, 1)

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. (John 1, 9)

Now with you is Wisdom, who knows your works and was present when you made the world; who understands what is pleasing in your eyes and what is conformable with your commands. (Wisdom 9: 9)

Pope Quotes 

“In no way did I wish to make my own the words of the medieval emperor. I wished to explain that not religion and violence, but religion and reason, go together.” (Benedict XVI, September 20, 2006)

“I hope that my profound respect for world religions and for Muslims, who “worship the one God” and with whom we “promote peace, liberty, social justice and moral values for the benefit of all humanity” (“Nostra Aetate,” 3), is clear.” (Benedict XVI, September 20, 2006)

“Let us continue the dialogue both between religions and between modern reason and the Christian faith!” (Benedict XVI, September 20, 2006) 

Catechism Clips

39 In defending the ability of human reason to know God, the Church is expressing her confidence in the possibility of speaking about him to all men and with all men, and therefore of dialogue with other religions, with philosophy and science, as well as with unbelievers and atheists.

159 Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who reveals mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind, God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth

1706 By his reason, man recognizes the voice of God which urges him “to do what is good and avoid what is evil.”

2302 By recalling the commandment, “You shall not kill,” our Lord asked for peace of heart and denounced murderous anger and hatred as immoral.

Saints and Heroes

A Man of Dialogue

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (1225-1274) 

St. Thomas dedicated his life to the study of human thought and the faith. He achieved a remarkable synthesis of faith and reason in his works. He also studied the relationship between the Muslim faith and Christian faith and wrote an extensive work intended for dialogue with Muslims called Summa contra Gentiles. Besides having an extraordinary intellect, Thomas was a man of great humility and holiness. He is patron of all universities, colleges, and schools. 

Patroness of Philosophers

ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA (DIED AROUND 310) 

St. Catherine lived in Egypt. Although she lived before the Muslim faith began, St. Catherine of Alexandria is considered a model of faith and reason. The details on her life are not very clear since she lived in a time of persecution of Christians, but legend has it that fifty pagan philosophers were converted by conversation with her, as well as numerous other persons. She was beheaded for being a Christian. She is patroness of philosophers, maidens, and preachers. Her feast day is November 25. 

A doubt can be powerful. The devil used it against Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. He tried to make them doubt that God loved them. It worked. We’re paying for it. The Da Vinci Code, written by Dan Brown, may not be as smart a hoax as the devil’s lie in the garden, but it has confused many people. Now the novel is coming out as a movie. The good thing is that many Christians are uniting in a strategy to respond: education on what our faith in Christ is really about. In this lesson we present a few ideas you can use to educate others about some of the The Da Vinci Code’s mixed-up ideas.

THE CONSPIRACY PLOT

Everyone loves a conspiracy story, and the book immediately captures the reader by opening with a mysterious murder. The clues to this puzzle are hidden in the paintings of the Renaissance artist Leonardo Da Vinci, and are revealed little by little to keep the reader’s interest. In the meantime, an explanation unfolds of a secret plot by the Catholic Church to cover up the “true” story of Jesus through murder and deceit. Ultimately, Brown uses this story to present his idea of the “real Jesus”. This Jesus was a prophet, but not God, and was married to Mary Magdalene. He wanted to start a new religion dedicated to appreciating the “sacred feminine” in the world, and he intended Mary to head it up. Brown claims that Jesus never rose from the dead, and that he could do nothing when Peter stole the power from Mary Magdalene, and forced her to flee. Thus, the apostles built the Church on their own ideas, making up a story about Jesus’ divinity and covering up the marriage. Da Vinci was one of the few who passed on Mary’s secret through the ages through codes in his paintings.

FACT OR FICTION?

Dan Brown’s book has a strong effect, because the opening page of the book claims that all of the descriptions are true. The main characters, Robert Langdon (played by Tom Hanks in the movie) and Dr. Leigh Teabing (played by Sir Ian McKellan) , use phrases throughout the book such as “historians have always known …” and “scholars know …” to make the reader think that the ideas are the fruit of serious research. Yet, many of the “facts” are actually disproved by scholars in art, history, architecture and theology. Some “facts” are so easily disproved that you hardly have to be a scholar at all to fi nd the fl aw. For example, the story claims that Jesus does not have a cup (chalice) in Leonardo’s painting of the Last Sup per. But if you count the chalices in the painting you will see that Jesus does have a cup. However, the average reader is not going to spend time looking up the details, and Dan Brown banks on this. Brown did use sources for his research, but they are mostly make-believe stories which twist the truth in an inaccurate or hypothetical way.

IS JESUS REALLY GOD?

The Da Vinci Code claims that early Christians saw Jesus as only a mortal, but they voted 300 years later to call him God, only for the sake of political unity under Emperor Constantine. Not true. Look at the Gospels. The Gospels were written between AD 50-100, shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus (approximately AD 30). They show in many different verses that Christians always believed Christ was the Son of God, equal to God. One central example is Peter’s profession of faith in Jesus: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God,” (Mt 16:16) Christ confi rms that Peter has understood correctly when he says “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For fl esh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father” (Mt 16:17) The Council of Nicea was actually called in AD 325 by Constantine in response to Arius, one man who was creating turmoil by proposing his own idea that Jesus was not really equal to God. He had a clever way of phrasing things that confused some people. But he was going against what the Church already believed. 

Brown claims that it was a close vote. In fact only two bishops voted for Arius, while at least 218 voted to affirm what Christians had always believed. Close? Check your facts, Mr. Brown.

The fruit of the Council was the “Nicene Creed” which Catholics recite every Sunday, professing that Jesus is “God from God, light from light, true God from true God.” The Council simply clarified what the New Testament teaches and the Church always believed. The Council didn’t invent anything.

CAN WE TRUST THE SCRIPTURES?

Another claim that The DaVinci Code makes is that Constantine destroyed “thousands” of other reliable texts that show the human Jesus, and that there were 80 other Gospels that showed a different truth about Christ. In other words, our New Testament is not the truth about Christ, but rather someone’s personal opinion in a sea of other opinions.

It is easy to conjecture. But The DaVinci Code “scholars” don’t seem to have studied very seriously. Over 200 years before Constantine, Christians were already referring to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as the only reliable ones. They were the ones used in Mass, and they were the ones quoted by the bishops and saints. 

One element in the Gospels that inspires trust is their honesty about the weakness of the apostles. They show clearly how the apostles abandoned Christ during his suffering. If the apostles were going to fake their authority they would not have said this. Yet the Gospels are honest in telling the story as it really happened.

OTHER GOSPELS?

The other texts that The DaVinci Code calls gospels were writings produced by groups that did not believe what the Christians believed or mixed Christian ideas with non-Christian ones. They were heretical texts. Many were produced much later than the Gospels. Recently some of these texts have made publicity again, such as the “Gospel of Judas.” They do not show the true Jesus, and they are being used again today to confuse people about Christianity. 

MARY MAGDALENE 

The DaVinci Code claims that Mary Magdalene was hated by the Church, and was therefore thwarted in her mission to begin a different religion to honor the “sacred feminine”. In fact, the book proposes that we should abandon Christianity and adopt a more pagan worship of the creature rather than the Creator.

But it is hard to say that Mary Magdalene is hated by the Church if she is honored as a saint. She has her own feast day. She has inspired devotion throughout the centuries. She is mentioned in the Gospels as the first person to see the risen Christ. She is sent to tell the apostles about the resurrection. She has a prominent place. She is not hated.

WAS JESUS MARRIED?

Although he has no real evidence, Brown concludes that Jesus must have been married because Jews and Jewish rabbis had the custom of always marrying.

A real Scripture scholar would be able to name several men in the Bible who did not marry in order to dedicate themselves to God: Jeremiah, John the Baptist, St. Paul. A Scripture scholar would also tell you that around the time of Jesus there was a Jewish group called the Essenes whose members did not get married. Celibacy (not getting married) did exist, and gained more popularity throughout the history of Christianity. 

It is in the example of Christ that a priest takes the solemn promise of celibacy, to be fully dedicated to God’s work and to serving others as he was. 

IS THE CHURCH TRUSTWORTHY?

The DaVinci Code accuses the Catholic Church of being a type of murderous mafia that despises women and sexuality and is only concerned with keeping its power.

It is one thing to accuse a human organization of being corrupt, but in accusing the Church as a whole, Brown is forgetting the millions of martyrs who gave their lives for others, the history of female leaders and saints, and the status given to the sacrament of matrimony. The Church has an amazing history. Becoming familiar with Church history and doctrine can inspire a sense of awe at its greatness, and can be a convincing testimony of God’s hand working within it.

And it is hard to say that the Church despises women if Mary the mother of Jesus has such a strong role in the Church. She is already present in the Gospels. She had to say “yes” in order for Jesus to become a man. She and Mary Magdalene are among the few brave souls that do not abandon Christ when he is captured and condemned to death. She is treated with tremendous veneration by every Christian generation throughout history.

DECODING DA VINCI

The real-life conspiracy of The Da Vinci Code is a plot to challenge Christianity, make some people lose their faith, and confuse many who do not know otherwise. 

For those who can decode it, who can pick out the important details and the inaccurate half-truths, it is a chance to evangelize. It is a chance to start up a conversation around a hot issue and talk about Christ and his Church. It is a chance to educate ourselves so as to educate others. People need to know what the Gospels teach. They need to know about Christ, the real Christ. 

We can start by reading the Gospels. We can continue by reading some of the other resources available. We can be especially effective by trying to be like Christ: both bold and humble, loving yet courageous.

He is here to help us. With him on our side, we have nothing to fear.

Bible Blurbs

“I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, … so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.” (Luke 1:3-4)
“Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her.” (John 20:18)
“Now I am reminding you, brothers, of the Gospel I preached to you… Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.” (1Corinthians 15: 1-2)
“I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you by the grace of Christ for a different Gospel (not that there is another). But there are some who are disturbing you and wish to pervert the Gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-7) 

Pope Quotes 

“Jesus yes, Church no”, is totally irreconcilable with the intention of Christ. This individualistically chosen Jesus is an imaginary Jesus. We cannot have Jesus without the reality he created and in which he communicates himself. (Pope Benedict XVI, March 15, 2006)

“The Jesus of the Gospels is quite different, demanding, bold. The Jesus who makes everything okay for everyone is a phantom, a dream, not a real figure. The Jesus of the Gospels is certainly not convenient for us. But it is precisely in this way that he answers the deepest question of our existence…” (Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI), On the Way to Jesus Christ, p. 8) 

Catechism Quotes 

“The Church holds firmly that the four Gospels, whose historicity she unhesitatingly affirms, faithfully hand on what Jesus, the Son of God, while he lived among men, really did and taught for their eternal salvation, until the day when he was taken up.” (n. 126) 

“What Christ entrusted to the apostles, they in turn handed on by their preaching and writing, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to all generations, until Christ returns in glory.” (n.96)

Saints and Heros

ST. MARY MAGDALENE: 

Contrary to Dan Brown’s claims that she is despised, Mary Magdalene is honored as a saint. Her feast day is celebrated on July 22. She was healed of seven demons by Christ, and stayed close to Christ during his crucifixion, when almost all the apostles abandoned him. She was the first one to see Jesus after he rose from the dead and was then sent to tell the the apostles. Tradition has it that she lived with Mary, Jesus’ mother, in Ephesus until she died. Centuries later her relics (her bones) were apparently brought to France. 

ST. PETER CANISIUS: 

(1521-1597) St. Peter lived in a time of controversy. He helped bring back much of southern Germany to Roman Catholicism after the spread of Protestantism He was born into an important family in Holland. While he was doing university studies in Belgium he went on a retreat directed by St. Peter Fabre, a Jesuit priest, and decided to become a Jesuit himself. He gave everything to the poor and dedicated himself totally to his vocation. During his lifetime he traveled constantly, preached many retreats, founded Catholic schools and colleges, participated in many debates with Protestants, and wrote a very large number of books. His most influential book was a Catechism which was very highly read and was reprinted numerous times. He is often called “the Second Apostle of Germany.” He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1925.

Vocabulary:

Celibacy – Not having sexual relations; usually done in order to dedicate oneself more completely to God and others

Clarify – Make more clear and explicit

Devotion – Reliance on or invocation of a saint or holy person

Doctrine – Official teaching

Educate – Teach; instruct; develop the knowledge

Evangelize – To teach and spread the good news of Christ to others.

Heretical – Religious teaching that is incorrect or opposed to Church doctrine

Hoax – Deceit, deception, lie

Honesty – Speaking and acting in the truth

Hypothetical – Only in theory; make-believe

Matrimony – Marriage; sacrament in which a man and a woman give themselves to each other out of love.

Pagan – Non-Christian; ungodly 

“Sacred feminine” – Worship of women as goddesses 

Discussion Questions

1. Where would you fi nd sources of fact, fi ction, or something in between? How do you know, for example, if something you read on the internet is fact or fi ction?

a. First we need to ask ourselves if the author/source is claiming to be fact or fi ction. In the case of the book the Da Vinci Code, you will fi nd the book in the “fi ction” section of libraries and books—although on one of the 1st pages of the book, Dan Brown presents a “facts” page, which itself has untruths. The devil can take a kernel of truth and spin/manipulate it as a tool of deception.

b. As for how do we know if something we read- whether it be on the internet, newspaper, etc. is actually true and not a slanted version/half truth, here are several tools to decipher a writing’s credibility:

i. Is it a trustworthy source? If you don’t know for sure yourself, ask someone who you trust and who has in depth knowledge on the topic

ii. Cross check the information with other reliable sources

iii. If possible, go to original docu ments/sources (in this case the Bible and Catechism, for example) to fi nd the raw data, or original material-not someone else’s reporting/interpreta tion of the material iv. Don’t assume just because you read something, that it is true.

2. How can you say that Jesus is really God?

• a. He did miracles
• b. He taught with authority. He claimed to be God.
• c. He forgave sins, which only God can do.
• d. He was totally unselfi sh, dying for us on a cross
• e. He was holy, not committing any sin f. Death could not defeat him. He rose from the dead. He has power over life and death, which only God has.

3. How do we know that we can trust the Scriptures?

• a. Because God guarantees their truthfulness through the Church
• b. Because the Gospels are honest about the failings of the apostles.
• c. Because the teachings of the Bible, especially the New Testament, help to make us the best human beings possible: more compassionate, unselfish, holy, courageous, centered on God and the important things, generous, etc.

4. What kind of a person was Mary Magdalene, and what kind of relationship did she have to Christ?

a. Mary Magdalene was cured of seven demons by Christ. After that she followed him wherever he went. (Luke 8: 1-3) She was constantly learning from Christ and she was faithful to him even when he was abandoned by the others. (Matthew 27: 55-61; Mark 14: 40-47; Luke 23: 49-56)

b. Some saints thought she might have been the same woman in the Gospels who was caught in adultery (John 8:1-11) or who cleansed Jesus´ feet with her tears. (Luke 7:36-50) Some thought she might also be Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha.(Luke 10:38-42) This is possible, but the Gospels don’t explicitly say these women were Mary Magdalene, so one is free to think either way. The Christian tradition from the Middle East and from the Orthodox Church does not identify her with the adulteress or the woman who cleansed his feet with her tears. 

c. Mary Magdalene is called “the apostle to the apostles.” She was given the task of telling the apostles about Christ’s resurrection before the apostles actually saw the risen Jesus.(Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-11; John 20:1-18)

d. Her relationship with Christ was one of faith. She believed in him. She loved him in a spiritual way, not a physical way, since she understood that he was holy, the Son of God.

5. How can we really say that Jesus was not married?

a. Because he was totally dedicated to his Father and to the spiritual good of souls.

b. He taught clearly that some people can choose to remain celibate for the sake of God and for dedicating all their heart and soul to save souls. It is clear by his lifestyle that he chose this.

c. If he were married, the Gospels would have said this. They tell about the other people who were close and important to him. They never talk about a spouse because his spouse was the Church.

d. He needed to be totally open to everyone, so he did not have an exclusive relationship.

6. How do we know that the Church is trustworthy?

a. Because so many martyrs have given their blood to defend the truth she teaches.

b. Because so many saints have given such tremendous examples of charity and holiness

c. Because the Church has not been afraid to proclaim the truth even when this has brought her misunderstandings and persecutions.

d. Because the Church has preserved its doctrine down through the centuries without changing.

JOURNAL WRITING:

1. Nobody likes to be lied to and to be seen as gullible. Describe a time when someone took advantage of your ignorance, and how you felt afterwards. Or, describe a time when a movie you saw affected your life and the way you thought about things.

2. Imagine that you are in the Gospel scene with Jesus when he asks his Apostles “Who do you say that I am?” Write about who Jesus is for you. Do you know the real person of Jesus? Write at least one way you can get to know him better.

ACTIVITIES:

1. Plan a movie night as an alternative to The DaVinci Code. Take a group of friends to see another movie, and go out for pizza to discuss it. (Over the Hedge is a good one).

2. Put together a classroom special reserve collection of books in the school library related to these topics: Constantine, the Council of Nicea, Lives of the Saints (with Mary Magdalene, etc.) Offer extra credit for the students who read one of these books and present a short summary report to the class.

3. Invite a visiting speaker to the class to bring a copy of Leonardo DaVinci’s painting of “The Last Supper” and to talk about the artistic significance of it. Or, have someone bring the painting in, and present the facts from the USCCB website (below) about the artist and his intentions behind the painting.

4. Establish a weekly time in which students can ask questions about the faith and receive answers. Encourage the students to bring up the questions that others may have asked them, even if they think that they gave a sufficient response, so that the rest of the class can benefit from knowing the answers. The teacher can invite a guest speaker or the pastor to answer the questions, or correspond by email to other scholars if necessary.

FURTHER FORMATION

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church 

126 “We can distinguish three stages in the formation of the Gospels: 

1. The life and teaching of Jesus. the Church holds firmly that the four Gospels, “whose historicity she unhesitatingly affirms, faithfully hand on what Jesus, the Son of God, while he lived among men, really did and taught for their eternal salvation, until the day when he was taken up.”99 

2. The oral tradition. “For, after the ascension of the Lord, the apostles handed on to their hearers what he had said and done, but with that fuller understanding which they, instructed by the glorious events of Christ and enlightened by the Spirit of truth, now enjoyed.”100 

3. The written Gospels. “The sacred authors, in writing the four Gospels, selected certain of the many elements which had been handed on, either orally or already in written form; others they synthesized or explained with an eye to the situation of the churches, the while sustaining the form of preaching, but always in such a fashion that they have told us the honest truth about Jesus.”101 

RESOURCES:

• Amy Welborn, 

- De-Coding Da Vinci: The Facts Behind the Fiction of the Da Vinci Code 

- De-Coding Mary Magdalene: Truth, Legend and Lies, 

- The Da Vinci Code Mysteries: What the Movie Doesn’t Tell You

all from Our Sunday Visitor Publications.

• Steven Kellmeyer, Fact and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code, Bridegroom Press

• Carl Olson and Sandra Miesel, The Da Vinci Hoax, Ignatius Press

• Mark Shea and Ted Sri, The Da Vinci Deception: 100 Questions About the Facts and Fiction of The Da Vinci Code, Ascension Press. (www.DavinciAntidote.com) 

• www.JesusDecoded.com (USCCB website about the book and movie)

Around 6:00 pm on April 19^th, the bells of St. Peter’s rang out again, and people all over the city dropped everything to race to the Vatican. Habemus Papam! We have a new pope! Everyone gathered in the square waited for the announcement of who it was: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger! Crowds of young people hugged each other with joy, and, electrified by his appearance on the balcony, began to chant: Ben-e-dic-tus. In this lesson we will learn more about our new Pope, who he is, what he stands for, and why we the young people look ahead to his pontificate with hope.

Growing Up in Tough Times

Joseph Ratzinger was born on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany. That area of Germany (Bavaria) is known for the strong Catholic faith of its people and their contagious joy. 

This joy was truncated, however, when Adolf Hitler took over Germany in 1933 and eventually launched the country into Word War II. Joseph’s father, a retired policeman, opposed the Nazi regime, and as a teen Joseph himself refused to join the Hitler Youth organization, even though this meant he would be given less financial help by the government for his studies. 

He had felt attracted to the priesthood since a young age, and during his teens he joined a high school seminary. Eventually he and all his companions were forced, like all other German youth, to enter the army. Joseph was 16 years old when he was conscripted in 1943.  He testifies that “the next two years were very difficult”, and at the end of the war all soldiers were taken prisoners, but eventually he was able to return home. 

As a priest, bishop and cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger has often spoken out about the evils of the Nazi system.  

He resumed his studies for the priesthood immediately after his release, even though his old seminary had been destroyed by the war.

Gift for Theology

He was ordained a priest when he was 24. Even during his seminary years it was clear that he had a special gift for the study of the faith (theology), and so he was asked to become a professor at the seminary and then at the university. He served the Church many years as a priest and theology professor, studying and instructing others on different points of Catholic teaching. His classes were very popular among the students for the depth of understanding that he showed and for the love of Christ that his explanations stirred in them. He very much loved his work as professor.

During the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) he was named a special consultor to the bishops, in spite of the fact that he was much younger than almost all the other experts. 

Wider Mission

At the age of 50, much to his surprise, Pope Paul VI asked him to head the large archdiocese of Munich, Germany. He was consecrated as archbishop, and a month later was named a cardinal. 

In 1981, when he was 54, Pope John Paul II asked him to take a difficult position in Rome as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It was not a job he wanted, because it often entails receiving vicious criticism, but he knew this was the way Christ had called him to serve the Holy Father.

This responsibility gave him a special role of safeguarding the integrity of the Catholic Faith, and answering questions of how to be faithful to Church teachings. He worked very closely with the Holy Father on these projects. The Catechism of the Catholic Church that we currently use was one of the projects that he and his commission worked on for six years.

Unimpressed with himself

What is this man who has accepted Christ’s call to be our Holy Father like? The first word used by those who know him is always “humble”. As Cardinal, one could often see him walking across St. Peter’s Square on his way home or on his way to a meeting with the Pope, stopping to greet anyone who approached him along the way, and often giving directions to those who did not even know who he was. 

An Italian journalist, Vittorio Messori, says that he is a “man, among other things, of subtle humor, quick smile.” This sense of humor helps him not take himself too seriously, or react to the criticism of others. “I remember one afternoon,“ wrote Messori, “when we were at table, after he received an award for something. He wanted me to tell him some of the jokes circulating about him in the parishes. I told him some of them and realized that he was really amused.”

True spiritual fatherhood

Pope Benedict XVI understands from the example of the John Paul II that a true father gives everything he is and has to care for his children. The word “Pope” means father, papa, or dad, and so we call him the Holy Father. 

A father is the one who can help us when we have an important question, when we are confused about something. Through his teaching at the university level, his kind advice to seminarians, his books and articles, and his statements as Prefect of the Doctrine of the Faith, Joseph Ratzinger, now our Holy Father, has always been there to counsel and instruct in the truth.

A good father is brave, and unafraid of anybody when it comes to protecting us. Even in the face of criticism, he knows how to distinguish good and evil, and stand up for what is right. A father believes in us and builds our own sense of confidence in who we are. He is responsible and faithful to his children, whether they be natural children, or those entrusted to him in a spiritual level. 

A Hero Lost 

John Paul II was a rock and a light for young people around the world. In the midst of a society that treated us with condescension and contempt, telling us we were dreamers and uncontrollable, he showed us we could be great. 

Secular culture invited us to be modern, to destroy rules of morality and follow the waves of fashion without finding meaning to life. Pope John Paul II believed that we could be better, and hoped in us as the force that could transform society. He spoke to us of Christ, of the truth, and of the noble ideals we could attain. He truly loved us and gave himself to us without counting the cost.

A Hero Found

The new Pope knows how much John Paul II meant to the young people, and has already taken steps to assure us that we are not alone. He announced immediately that he will attend World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany this August, gladly keeping the appointment made by John Paul II. 

During one of his first speeches our new Holy Father said “With you, dear young people, I will continue to dialogue, listening to your expectations in an attempt to encounter ever more profoundly the living Christ, the eternally young.”

Rock Solid

Pope Benedict XVI speaks with the same firmness of faith, the coherence and confidence in Christ that we learned from John Paul II. He gives us confidence that adherence to Christ is our stronghold and message amidst confusion. He addresses young people in a way that gives us hope for what the future can bring, if we build our lives on these same principles. 

At his Mass of Inauguration as Pope on April 24^th, he said: “Today, with great strength and great conviction, on the basis of long personal experience of life, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ—and you will find true life.”

One young person tries to explain the enthusiasm that has exploded spontaneously for our new Holy Father: 

“Why are we young people so excited to have this new Pope?” asked David Assad, “Because in the midst of this confused world God has given us a clear light, a firm faith, a solid rock on which to build our lives. 

“The shock of the liberal media doesn’t impress us at all, neither do the terrified faces of those aging ideologies before the light of truth.

“We live the eternal youth of the truth of Christ, the truth that does not change, sustained by the rock of Peter. This is the truth that fills us with happiness.”

Bible Blurbs

“‘You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church … I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven’. (Matthew 16:18)

‘Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching… As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.’ [St. Paul, 2 Tim 4:2-5]

‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.’ (John 8:12)

Pope Quotes

““Before my eyes is, in particular, the witness of Pope John Paul II. He leaves us a Church that is more courageous, freer, younger. A Church that, according to his teaching and example, looks with serenity to the past and is not afraid of the future.”

 “Love is the power which God exercises in the world.  To pray is to put oneself on the side of this love-….  As Christians, as those who pray, this is our very highest task.” (Approaches to a Theology of the Liturgy By Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger)

“The Church is not a market, but a family… a guide and witness to unity in the context of the familiarity of the Church with one single teacher, Christ”

Catechism of the Catholic Church

882 The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter’s successor, “is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful.” “For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered.”

85 “The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ.“47 This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.

Saints and Heroes:

Mother Francis Xavier Cabrini (Love for the Holy Father)

St Frances Cabrini was one of 13 children raised on a farm in northern Italy. Since she was a child, she wanted to be a missionary in China. She received a catholic education and training as a teacher. She tried to join a religious order at age 18, but poor health prevented her from being accepted. A priest asked her to teach at a girl’s school, the House of Providence Orphanage in Cadagono, Italy, which she did for six years. Seeing how well she worked, in 1880 her bishop asked her to found the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to care for poor children in schools and hospitals. In 1888 the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII asked her to be a missionary among the poor Catholic immigrants in the United States who were quickly losing their faith in the difficult circumstances there. With great love and faith she and six sisters arrived in New York in 1889. They worked with untiring dedication among immigrants, especially Italians. She quickly received the loving title of “Mother” among everyone she met, because of her profound charity and deep sense of service. She founded 67 institutions, including schools, hospitals, and orphanages in the United States, Europe and South America. Like many of the immigrants she worked with, Mother Cabrini became a United States citizen during her life, and after her death she was the first US citizen to be canonized.

Father Edward Flanagan (Dedication to youth)

Edward Flanagan was born in Ireland on July 13^th 1886. He immigrated to America in 1904 to follow a long-held dream to become a priest.  When he was ordained in 1912 his bishop sent him to work in Omaha, Nebraska. There he saw real poverty: hundreds of unemployed men, with their wives and families, lived in the most terrible conditions. He was especially concerned about the huge number of homeless boys on the streets.  After the First World War ended in 1918, he founded Boys Town, a place for young homeless or destitute boys to live. He gathered hundreds of boys and helped them by his dedication and faith. His motto was “There’s no such thing as a bad boy.” By 1936 Boys’ Town was an official city of the State of Nebraska.  In 1938 a movie called Boys town was created and released based on this true story.  His courage and faith has inspired not only the boys which he helped but thousands others with his heroic fatherhood. His work continues to this day in the many Boys Towns around the world.

Discussion Question Options

What are the qualities of a good father? In what ways should the Pope be a reflection of this? In what ways can you remember that John Paul II showed himself to be a true Holy Father?  

Many Catholics are excited by the new pope, but many media reporters cannot understand why. What reasons could you give, to explain why we look forward with hope to this new Pope, and why people feel excitement over his election?

Why is the Pope different than any other governmental leader? How is the election different? What types of qualities might people look for in a governmental leader? What qualities would be important for a Pope?

Christ said that the gates of Hell would never triumph over his Church, and no matter what happens in the world, the rock of Peter would remain. Does this give you confidence and hope for the future? Does it give you a sense of security, no matter what happens?

Do you prefer someone who tells you the truth, even when it is hard, or someone who just tells you what you want to hear, even when it is wrong? What happens if we disregard the Pope just because we do not like something he says?

Journal Writing Options

One day you will be telling your children, or other young people, what it was like this day when you heard about the new Pope. What was your experience? What hopes and expectations do you have for the future?

What are some ways that you can personally back up the Holy Father, and support him in his mission? What are some attitudes you can practice? Things you can say?

Resolution Ideas

Hold a Catechism trivia contest, with the newest Catechism of the Catholic Church. Questions can come from the content, as well as a knowledge of the general outline and structure of the Catechism.

In groups, students make short reports on the following questions which Cardinal Ratzinger helped clarify. Students look up the reference and the teaching, and give a brief summary of the main points to the rest of the class:

Are all religions equal?

Do Catholic politicians have to vote according to Catholic principles?

What is the difference between separating Church and State, and intolerant secularism?

Is it moral to do research with human embryos?

Is homosexual marriage valid?

When can religion become too involved in trying to change politics (liberation theology)?

How can one show reverence in Mass and love for the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist?

When should a person not receive communion?

Make an informational pamphlet to hand out to other students, families, and parishioners, with facts to help them know Pope Benedict XVI better. Students can divide into groups to find quotes, pictures, a map of his hometown, interesting stories from his youth, etc.

Resources 

To explain the papal election: http://www.catholic-pages.com/pope/

The life and story of Pope Benedict XVI: http://www.catholicculture.org/lit/pope_benedict/ 

Books written by Cardinal Ratzinger : http://www.catholicculture.org/lit/pope_benedict/pope_ben_books.cfm 

We learned the word ” Pope” by pointing to his picture. We have seen his quotes on posters, cards, and advertisements for as long as we can remember. Maybe many of our older brothers and sisters have gone to his World Youth Days, and many of us were hoping to see him this summer in at the World Youth Day in Germany. For all of us who are younger than 27, Pope John Paul II is the Holy Father who has shaped us in the Catholic faith more than anyone. We, the Catholic youth of the world, are his legacy. In this lesson we will remember the message he gave us, and the ways that we can live up to it. 

His message to Youth

From Denver to the Phillipines, Paris to Toronto we helped him break records. They were the biggest gatherings of young people in history. We were attracted to his message, because he believed in us. He had  faith in our potential and hope for our greatness. When other people were saying that young people “just couldn’t help themselves” from doing bad things, he knew the power of God’s grace in our hearts and challenged us to be courageous; to not be afraid to change the world for the good. He told us:

“In you there is hope, for you belong to the future, just as the future belongs to you. For hope is always linked to the future; it is the expectation of ‘future good things’. As a Christian virtue, it is linked to the expectation of those eternal good things which God has promised to man in Jesus Christ. And at the same time, this hope, as both a Christian and a human virtue, is the expectation of the good things which man will build, using the talents given him by Providence.”

Dear young friends, it is to your prayers that I want to entrust the problems of your own families and of all the families of the world…the Pope counts very much on your prayers.

With enthusiasm and  exuberant energy, young people ask to be encouraged to become “leading characters in evangelization and participants in the renewal of society” (Cristifideles laici, 46).

 Never let yourselves be discouraged by evil! For this you will need the help of prayer and the consolation that is born from an intimate friendship with Christ. Only in this way, living the experience of God’s love and radiating Gospel fellowship, will you be able to be the builders of a better world, genuine peaceful and peacemaking men and women.

“You have come looking for me.”

Listening to Pope John Paul II was like hearing something you already knew in your heart, but it was the way he said it that made it new. He is the only man who could stand up on a stage in front of millions, yet make each person feel like they were having a personal conversation with him. He spoke to the multitude in Spain as if speaking to an old friend: “I am back with you again. We know one another from previous meetings, such as the one in Toronto, Canada. I embrace each one of you…I confess to you that I have been looking forward very much to this meeting with you (May 3, 2003).” On a few occasions, he had a spontaneous conversation with the crowd of youth, in an exchange between one man with a microphone, and the shouts of hundreds of thousands.

 There was something about his person that drew all people to him. As he lay dying, he directed some of his last words to the youth that gathered under his window: “I had looked for you. Now you have come looking for me.” His faithfulness and selflessness were attractive and made people pay attention to him. 

 Even under Nazi  and communist persecution or fierce criticism, he never backed down from what he believed. He helped bring down communism in Eastern Europe, and yet he acknowledges the evil that it did while it existed 

 He was loyal to his Christian faith, and authentic in his priestly vocation. At the same time, his selflessness touched people of all types.

 He became our hero and leader not just because he was Pope, but because he sacrificed himself in order to bring us Christ. His love for all people, especially the youth, motivated him to travel without rest in order to reach as many people as possible. He knew that he was called to be the Vicar of Christ on earth, and was faithful to that call by trying to do as Christ would do. As his biographer George Weigel said: “He’s been appreciated as a man of culture, a man of great human sympathies, a man of great courage and integrity and compassion. I wonder, though, if he’s been appreciated for what he in fact was-the greatest Christian witness of the past century?”

He was a Christian first, and thus by his life he challenges us to live the same way as authentic Christians. We are attracted to him because he is like Christ, and we follow him because we see that he brings us to Christ. This is what every Christian is called to be for other people.

The two flags

 Pope John Paul II saw clearly that there are two flags that fly over the world, and a battle between two sides: the culture of life and the culture of death. Amidst the darkness of a growing acceptance of abortion,  euthanasia, embryonic stem-cell research, and other forces that threatened human life, he stood strong for the culture of life. 

He believed in true love. He spoke to us of the true beauty of marriage and sexuality in a culture that often tries to make us slaves to our passions. He taught us to value these treasures and promote them in the world around us.  

He encouraged others to fight on his side, because he knew that the Church is more than just the Pope and that lay people are necessary so as to win he war for Christ. “Failures to reverse the culture of death are the failures of all the people of the Church who have an opportunity to build a culture of life-and don’t,” explained Weigel. It is for this reason that John Paul II urged government leaders and all Christians to “be not afraid” in standing up for their values.

President George W. Bush, on his return from the funeral of the Pope, commented on his reflections during the ceremony: “I thought a lot about Pope John Paul II. I mean, here’s a 

person who has shown that a single individual can make a big difference in history and that, in my judgment, he received his great power and strength from the Almighty. And tides of moral relativism kind of washed around him, but he stood strong as a rock. And that’s why millions came to admire and love him.”

A show of gratitude

 On Saturday, April 2, at 6:50 p.m. the bells in downtown Rome began pealing wildly. The crowds raced to cabs while pulling out their cell phones to find out what was happening. Rivers of people flooded towards St. Peter’s Square for one last goodbye and thank you to the dying Pope. Unlike the silence of the night before, this night was filled with singing and cheering of a last show of  gratitude. At 9:00 a cardinal came out to lead the rosary, and at 9:37 Pope John Paul II went “back to the Father’s house”.

 The next few days  saw a miraculous movement of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of over 3 million people who traveled to Rome for the funeral of the Holy Father. Some were not even Catholic, but felt that they “just had to be there.” They came without a place to stay, nor food to eat, and waited in line for 24 hours to see the body of John Paul II laid out. They carried signs that said “We’re not afraid.” They were not coming for a spectacle, but to say thank you to the man who changed their lives.

Our chance to say thank you

 Many priests call themselves “JP2 priests” because it was the example of this man who inspired them to embrace their vocation. 

In the same way, we are “JP2 youth,” called to embrace our Catholic faith and live up to the hope the Holy Father placed in us. It is a hope that Christ has in us. We have our own way to say thank you, by living out the legacy the John Paul II has left us. 

Some of us will go to World Youth Day this summer in Germany, gathering with other young people to renew our enthusiasm for the faith and commit more deeply to the culture of life. The message of the World Youth Days rings in our hearts, to be evangelizers who are not afraid to teach the Gospel. Christ is the answer to the question of every human heart, and we are the ones who can give this answer to them.

 John Paul II was a witness to hope, and so we are called to be the same for those around us, a sign of confidence that God is with us and cares for us. We are called to live life fully and enthusiastically, not discouraged by the bad things that happen around us. He inspires us to be courageous and generous in finding our personal vocations and following what God has created us for, knowing that with our surrender God can do marvelous things as he did with John Paul. 

In this way we can carry on what Pope John Paul II has started, and be all that he hoped we could be. He has left a strong legacy, and now after his death we will prove how much he has given with his life.

Bible Blurbs

• Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?”  (Luke 24:32)

• “I address you, young people, for you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have conquered the evil one.” (1 John 2:14)

• “Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12) 

Pope Quotes

• “Dear young people, your journey does not end here… Continue to contemplate God’s glory and God’s love, and you will receive the enlightenment needed to build the civilization of love …to see the world transfigured by God’s eternal wisdom and love.” 
• ” Dear young people, do not doubt God’s love for you! He has reserved for you a place in his heart and a mission in the world …the Church needs you, she needs your commitment and generosity; the Pope needs you and… he is asking you to take the Gospel on the paths of the world.” 

Saints and Heroes:

Saint John Bosco -  (1815-1888) Don Bosco was a priest who lived in northern Italy during the time of the industrial revolution, when much child labor was used. Boys often suffered the most from the hard work, slum conditions, and lack of education. Many boys lived literally on the streets and many turned to crime. Don Bosco dedicated himself untiringly to offering friendship, a healthy atmosphere, professional education, and spiritual formation to the boys who lived in these difficult conditions. He formed a religious community of men who are dedicated to the formation of youth around the world. It is one of the biggest religious congregations in the Church.

Cilla Galleazo  : (1961-1976) Cilla (pronounced “Cheela”) was a teenager in Italy during the mid-1970’s, a moment when many young people in society rebelled against the Christian faith and values. She was a pretty girl who was known for her smile and her kindness. When most of her classmates declared themselves unbelievers, she declared herself a Christian with courage and humility, but in her diary she often wrote that she did not feel like her faith was strong. During her first year of high school she met a group of Catholic young people called “Communion and Liberation.”  With these new friends she found she was not alone. Her faith and love grew tremendously that year, and she helped bring many people closer to Christ. That summer, riding with a friend on their way back from a discussion group, the car swerved to avoid a head-on collision with a truck. She was killed when the car went off the road. Her funeral was packed with young people who came to pay tribute to her example and love. 

Catechism of the Catholic Church

(On the mystery of the Church)

• 816  The sole Church of Christ is that which our Savior, after his Resurrection, entrusted to Peter’s pastoral care, commissioning him and the other apostles to extend and rule it.… 
• 830  The word “catholic” means “universal,” in the sense of “according to the totality” or “in keeping with the whole.” The Church is catholic in a double sense: First, the Church is catholic because Christ is present in her…
• 831 Secondly, the Church is catholic because she has been sent out by Christ on a mission to the whole of the human race: All men are called to belong to the new People of God…
• 776 As sacrament, the Church is Christ’s instrument. ..The Church “is the visible plan of God’s love for humanity,” because God desires “that the whole human race may become one People of God, form one Body of Christ, and be built up into one temple of the Holy Spirit.”

Vocabulary

Authenticity-  “walking the talk”, being genuine, without falseness, being what you show yourself to be.

Supernatural charity: Love for God. Love of others from God’s point of view.

Human charity: Kindness, respect, and generosity towards others.

Compassion  - Feeling of sympathy for the distress of others, with the desire to help them

Courage - The capacity to meet danger without giving way to fear; to have the courage of one’s convictions; to be willing to put one’s opinions into practice.

Enthusiasm - Positive intensity, zeal, passion. In Greek this word means being “in God”, being possessed by God

Faith -  belief and trust in God 

 Faithfulness - steadfast adherence to the person or value to which one is commited.

Generosity -  Giving freely of our own possessions, time and or talent to someone else

Hope - Supernatural hope:  Confidence in God’s gift of heaven. Confidence in God’s mercy.

Human hope:  Confidence that good will happen. Confidence that things will work out well

 Integrity  -  Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.  The state of being unimpaired; soundness.  The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness.

 Loyalty  -  Steadfast allegiance.  Faithful to a person, ideal, custom, cause, or duty.

Sacrifice -  Giving up or forgoing something valued for the sake of someone else or something important

Selflessness -  Devotion to another person’s welfare or interests and not one’s own

Surrender -  Giving ourselves completely over to God, to another person, or to a mission

Witness -  Standing for the person we believe in, providing evidence with our lives, testifying to our religious beliefs

Discussion Question Options

1. Who was John Paul II in your eyes? A great leader? A faraway figurehead? A father who truly looked out for all those in his care? A saint who changed the world?
2. Let’s think of all the ways that Pope John Paul II has impacted us personally. In what ways has he touched us, all the way from Rome (personal experiences, teachings, inspirational quotes, youth programs, etc.)?
3. How could you show that the Pope was really the Vicar of Christ, another Christ on earth? In what ways did he imitate Christ in his own life?
4. How can you be strong in your Catholic faith, and at the same time kind to anyone who you meet on the streets? Does standing up for what you believe in mean cutting off certain types of people? Or does being open to other people mean watering down what you believe in? How did the Pope balance these two things? How did Christ do it?
5. If John Paul II were canonized, what would you make him the patron of? What do you think was the most important outreach of his life?

Journal Writing Options

1. Do you believe that your life can change the world like John Paul’s did? Is it hard to believe that he was once an ordinary student like you are now?  Read the story of Karol Wojtyla, and find at least three similarities between his life and yours. Write about these similarities, and one thing you can do to follow the example of his life.
2. What do you admire most about the Pope? What is the greatest lesson you have learned from his life? Write about your own thoughts on the occasion of his funeral, and how he has inspired you to be a better person.

Resolution Ideas

1. Divide students into four groups. Each group writes an explanation with reasons of why we follow the Pope as the Vicar of Christ and head of the Catholic Church. Assign each group a different audience to direct their explanations to: a group of Catholics who do not agree with the Pope, a group of non-Catholic Christians who do not want to be under the headship of the Pope, a group of Jews who do not believe in Christ, and a group of atheists who do not believe in God.
2. Organize a tribute for Pope John Paul II for your school. Students can choose the format: video, slide presentation of photos, reading some of his speeches or poetry, hanging up posters and quotes around the school, etc.
3. Make a timeline of the papacy and accomplishments of John Paul II. Assign each student a year from his papacy, and have them make a report and visual piece for the timeline.
4. Divide the Pope’s Letter to Young People, Dilecti Amici, into sections. In groups, students read the sections, and pick out the 3 most important points to report back to the rest of the class.
5. Go on a field trip in honor of the Holy Father. Read the excerpt from his letter to young people: ” And so my hope for you young people is that your “growth in stature and in wisdom” will come about through contact with nature. Make time for this! Do not miss it! Accept too the fatigue and effort that this contact sometimes involves, especially when we wish to attain particularly challenging goals. Such fatigue is creative, and also constitutes the element of healthy relaxation which is as necessary as study and work.”  Also reference his biography, Witness to Hope, for stories of how he used to organize trips with young people.

Resources & Links: 

Events from the papacy of John Paul II: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/special_features/hf_jp_ii_xxv_en.htm  

 Documents of the Holy Father on the Youth: http://www.vatican.va/gmg/documents/gmg_docs_en.html 

 John Paul II’s Letter to Young People, Dilecti Amici:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_31031985_dilecti-amici_en.html  

The Pope is mourning the loss of a friend who saved his life. This friend had been rallying prayer support for the Holy Father since she was 10 years old until her death last month at the age of 97. She said she had been told to do so by another friend, Mary. John Paul II credits her prayers and the prayers that she helped stir in others with surviving an assassin’s bullet that by all normal circumstances should have killed him within seconds. The  Pope’s friend was Lucia, a little shepherd girl from Portugal, and she died a few weeks ago, on February 13th. In this lesson we will look at her life, her friendship with Mary, and her mission in the world.

Chosen for a mission  

 In 1917,  Mary appeared in Fatima, Portugal to the 10-year-old Lucia dos Santos along with her two younger cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto.  For the next six months, from May to October, the Blessed Mother would appear to the shepherd children on the 13th of every month (except for the August apparition). She spoke to them like friends, and gave them a serous message for the world, telling that terrible events were coming for people, and asking everyone to pray the rosary daily and do acts of penance, praying in a special way for the conversion of sinners. She also entrusted them with three secrets. The last secret would not be made public until more than 80 years later. 

 This special friendship with Mary was a gift that the children did not expect nor ask for. They were only poor, humble shepherds who knew nothing about fame and worldwide events. When Our Lady asked them to pray in a special way for Russia, they thought that Russia may have been some lady or sinner who needed to be converted. These children became heroes because they were not looking to be more important or famous than everyone else, but just to focus on being who God wanted them to be.

Even from the beginning, their mission was not easy, but children can often surprise us by their courage. The government at that time in Portugal was anti-Catholic, and at one point, the children were jailed in a town called Ourem, and the Mayor threatened to boil them in oil if they did not say that the visions were a lie. One by one he lead them away to what they thought was certain death. It turned out that the threat of the Mayor was a bluff, but the children had believed it was true. Even with the possibility of death they would not betray Our Lady. 

In the words Pope John Paul II sent for Lucia’s funeral last month, he reminded us of Lucia’s fidelity to her mission. “The visit of the Virgin Mary, which little Lucia received in Fatima together with her cousins Francisco and Jacinto in 1917, was for her the beginning of a singular mission to which she remained faithful until the end of her days.”

A mission to save souls

At one point, Mary showed the three children a vision of hell. They saw a great sea of fire with demons like frightful animals and souls shrieking and groaning in pain and despair. It was not an illusion. It was real, terribly real. Lucia said that they would have died of fear and terror right there, except that they had already been allowed a special experience of God´s love and Mary had already promised to take them to heaven. 

 The purpose of the vision was to show them the need to save souls. Seeing how bad hell was increased their apostolic zeal, and they decided to do anything possible to stop souls from ending up there. Mary promised that many could be saved through devotion to her Immaculate Heart, and helped the children to realize that their prayers were powerful for the salvation of souls. It was a simple mission, to dedicate time every day to pray and offer sacrifices for others, but the children were convinced that it was the most important thing in the world. They lived it seriously, and inspired countless others throughout the world to do the same.

Life of prayer

 When, a fter the apparitions, so many people came to pray in Fatima, they often wanted to see little Lucia too. She was glad people were coming to pray, but did not want to be the center of attention. With the help of her parents and her bishop, Lucia was secretly enrolled in a girls’ boarding school in another town in 1921. Her classmates did not even know she was the famous Lucia of Fatima. Her cousins had died in 1919 and 1920, and even though Lucia was very sad, she found strength and joy because Mary had promised she would bring them to heaven. Lucia wanted to dedicate the rest of her life to prayer. When she was 18 years old, she was admitted as a postulant in the Institute of the Sisters of St. Dorothy in Spain. Fourteen years after making her perpetual vows, she transferred to the Carmel of Saint Teresa in Portugal where she dedicated her life to prayer in a cloister, taking the name of Sister Maria Lucia of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart. 

 She would remain here for the rest of her life, seriously working to fulfill her mission to save as many souls as possible through her prayer and sacrifice. She did not look for special treatment and simply lived the life of the convent like all the other nuns. Once, when a new sister came to live there, she did not even realize that Sister Maria Lucia was Lucia of Fatima until over a week after her arrival. Lucia was chosen by Mary because of her humility, and she wanted to keep practicing that humility for the rest of her life. 

Guardian of the Pope

 On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was struck down by the bullet of a professional assassin, Mehmet Ali Agca. The gunman fired several shots at very close range, and he was confident that there was no way he could miss. The bullet entered the Holy Father’s abdomen, and exited out the other side, also breaking his elbow and cutting a finger before falling to the floor of the Popemobile. By a miracle, the bullet that pierced the Pope was somehow deflected around vital organs, and the Pope’s life was spared. The doctors could not explain how this had happened. The Holy Father immediately accredited this to the intervention of Our Lady of Fatima, and the strength of the prayers of her friend, Sister Lucia. 

To this day, the assassin is still trying to figure out what this mysterious “Fatima” secret is, that could have foiled his master plan so successfully. He would never believe that a little nun who was praying hard in a country far away, would be able to guard the Pope’s life against his gun. On May 13, 1982, Pope John Paul II traveled to Fatima in thanksgiving, putting the bullet in Our Lady’s crown as a sign of her victory, and meeting with his prayer-bodyguard, Sister Lucia.

A secret is revealed

 Sister Lucia had received three secrets from Our Lady in 1917, which were revealed little by little. She said that the third one could not be known until after 1960, and so she carefully wrote it out, sealed it in an envelope, and gave it to her bishop to be kept in the Vatican secret archives. Recently, it was revealed that Mary’s third secret to Lucia and her cousins had been a type of vision. They saw the Church under attack, many martyrs, and the Pope himself being killed by enemy gunfire under a huge wooden cross. She did not know what it meant at the time, but in humility she recognized that it was only her job to report it, not to try to figure it out. Only the Popes were able to see it until a few years ago when it was revealed to whole world.

What does it mean?

 Lucia’s vision does not imply that God was planning to have the Pope shot, nor that she was able to predict the future. The vision was an image of what would happen in the 20th century: the battle of the atheistic systems against the Church and all Christians, and in a particular way against the Pope. It shows the great sufferings of all those people who take their faith seriously and refuse to betray Christ. Lucia and her cousins were constantly motivated by this reality, repeating, “Poor souls! Poor Holy Father!” The vision also shows that the martyrs who successfully give witness to their faith earn more graces to strengthen the rest of us.

 When Mary came to Fatima, she reminded the world that she and her Son are actively involved in human history. Though we normally do not see their actions, our faith assures us that they are interested and participate in everything that goes on in our world. 

Our Lady of Fatima showed the children that prayer can change the course of history. In explaining the third secret of Fatima, the Church has confirmed that this happened. History was changed through prayer in a real way, when Pope John Paul II was shot, and yet lived on for many more years to see the fall of Communism in Russia and Eastern Europe. 

The silent army general

 Lucia led the way of prayer and penance that millions of believers would follow. Silently, from her cloister she gathered an army around the Pope and the Church . Her faithful transmission of the Blessed Mother’s message has inspired countless others to offer simple prayers and sacrifices for the good of the Church and the souls that are in danger of being lost. Her example led many others to strive hard towards heaven. 

Lucia taught us a prayer that is very powerful. It helps us focus on our main goal in life and calls us to join in her spiritual combat for others. The Holy Father invites us to repeat this prayer often: 

“Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins.  Save us from the fire of hell.
 Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.”

Bible Blurbs

• “Seeing his mother there with the disciple whom he loved, Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, there is your son.’ In turn he said to the disciple, ‘There is your mother.’ From that hour onward, the disciple took her into his care.” (John 19:26-27)
• “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.’” (Matthew 11:29)
• “Our battle is not against human forces but against the principalities and powers, the rulers of this world of darkness…You must put on the armor of God… ” (Ephesians 6:12-13)

Pope Quotes

Excerpts from the message of Pope John Paul II, read at the funeral of Sor Lucia (14 February, 2005):

With profound emotion I learned that Sister Maria Lucia of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart, at the age of 97 years, was called by the heavenly Father to the eternal dwelling of heaven. She has thus reached the end to which she always aspired in prayer and in the silence of the convent.

 The visit of the Virgin Mary, which little Lucia received in Fatima together with her cousins Francisco and Jacinta in 1917, was for her the beginning of a singular mission to which she remained faithful until the end of her days. Sister Lucia leaves us an example of great fidelity to the Lord and of joyful adherence to his divine will.

I remember with emotion the various meetings I had with her and the bonds of spiritual friendship that, with the passing of time, were intensified. I have always felt supported by the daily gift of her prayer, especially in the harsh moments of trial and suffering. May the Lord reward her amply for the great and hidden service she has done to the Church.

I love to think that the one who has received Sister Lucia in the passing from earth to heaven has been precisely She whom she saw in Fatima so many years ago. May the Holy Virgin accompany the soul of this devoted daughter of hers to the happy encounter with the divine Spouse.  

Saints and Heroes:

Blessed Francisco and Jacinta Marto were beatified in the Jubilee year, the youngest non-martyrs to achieve this recognition of holiness. Martyrs can be canonized automatically, but other saints have to be seen as an example of heroic virtue. These children were not beatified because they saw an apparition, but rather because of the way they responded to Mary’s call to holiness. Francisco was born on June 11th, 1908. He was a boy who liked animals and liked playing songs on his shepherd’s flute. Jacinta, born on March 11th, 1910, was active and loved to dance to her brother’s music. They helped their cousin Lucia to tend the sheep, and together the three children saw the apparition of Our Lady at Fatima in 1917. When Mary asked them to pray the rosary and offer sacrifices for sinners, they took it seriously. They would give their food to beggars, give up drinking water on hot days, and pray often. In 1918, both children caught the Spanish flu, and Mary appeared to them to tell them she was going to take them to Heaven soon. Francisco, whom she promised to take first, was thrilled at the thought of going to Heaven, and tried to offer as many sacrifices as he could before dying. He would take any medicine or food that he was told to eat, without complaining. He received his first Communion on April 13, 1919, and died the next day. Jacinta was lonely without her brother, but was ready to offer any suffering to save souls from hell. On February 20, 1920, she also went with Our Lady to eternal life.

Vocabulary

Apostolic zeal: Intense enthusiasm and work for bringing souls to Christ.

Cloister : Literally: “enclosure”. A place of religious seclusion. Usually it refers to a religious community with a central with ministry of prayer, who live exclusively within a convent or monastery, with minimal contact with the outside world

Devotion to Mary:  Friendship with the Blessed Mother of God, characterized by speaking with her in prayer and imitating her virtues. Mary is a “prayer partner” who helps us focus on God and do his will.

Hope:

Supernatural hope:  Confidence in God’s gift of heaven. Confidence in God’s mercy.

Human hope:  Confidence that good will happen. Confidence that things will work out well

Humility:  Virtue that reminds us we do not know everything and that God can be trusted to guide us as a good Father.

Penance:   Expressions of conversion and repentance. Some examples of penance: helping the needy, prayer, fasting, reconciling with our neighbor, etc. 

Postulant:  A period of discernment for candidates who would aspire to enter the novitiate of a religious congregation.

Rally:   To come together for a common purpose, especially to assist or support a cause or person, etc

Discussion Question Options

1. What qualities constitute true friendship (write on the board)? Which of these is it possible to live in your friendship with Mary, and how? 
2. Can you think of other stories that you have heard, or experienced personally, in which you can see how Christ or Mary played a role in making things turn out a certain way? Or is there a time when you prayed for something specific, and knew that your prayers affected the way it came out?
3. Why was it important for Sor Lucia to enter the convent? What did she hope to accomplish there? Do you think she was more effective in her mission? Why or why not?
4. How many different examples are given in the text about the humility of Sor Lucia? How did she live it (in ways that are not necessarily pointed out in the text)?
5. Some people try to deny that hell is real. Why do they say this? Why is it important for us to believe that hell is real? Why is it important to believe that purgatory is real? 

Journal Writing Options

1. What is your relationship with Mary like? Do you consider her a friend, a mother, or just a distant statue? Have you ever done any special activities or prayers surrounding Mary? Write about what your friendship with Our Lady is now, and what you would like it to be.
2. Imagine that Our Lady said to you, as she said to Lucia: “Pray, pray very much and make sacrifices for sinners; for many souls go to hell because there are none to sacrifice themselves and to pray for them.” What would you answer to her? Would it change the way you live your life? Do you truly believe that some people around you are entrusted to your prayers, and if you do not pray for them, no one will?   

Resolution Ideas

1. Sor Lucia was a friend and guardian of Pope John Paul II before she even met him personally. Have current magazines and newspapers so each student can choose someone in the news that they can pray for in a special way (presidents, religious figures, criminals, actors, etc.).
   •  Write the names on slips of paper for the bulletin board to remind them of their prayer intentions.
   • As a class, come up with a sacrifice resolution that they can offer for their specific intention (no TV on a certain day, etc.)
2. Have a timed Bible search. Give students 10 minutes to try to find all the passages that they can find that has some reference to the reality of heaven (teams are optional). Students report their findings, reading the verses aloud. List the results on the board, and have students make their own list on an index card for future reference. Do the same for all mentions of Heaven. 
3. Find out if there is a local cloistered community, and plan a trip to visit there. Many cloisters welcome the public for Mass, although the sisters remain in a separate part of the chapel. Look for a Poor Clare monastery, Cloistered Carmelite community, etc. 
4. In groups, prepare presentations for the rest of the class, going more in-depth on the story of Fatima:
   • Give the history of the apparitions
   • Give an overview of the more important words that Mary spoke to Lucia
   • Present the three secrets of Fatima
   • Describe the modern-day Fatima shrine 
   • Students may go to the internet to see pictures from Fatima (http://www.santuario-fatima.pt/portal/multimedia.php)

Resources

More information on Fatima
http://www.fatimavirtual.com/

The secret of Fatima
www.zenit.org/english/archives/documents/FATIMA_ENG.hml . 

Pope John Paul II’s message for the funeral of Sor Lucia
http://www.zenit.org/english/

 Book:
Memory and Identity  by Pope John Paul II, published February 2005. 
(Last pages deal with Fatima and the May 1981 attempt on the Pope’s life.)

 Movies/DVDs :
Apparitons at Fatima produced by Daneil Costelle (www.ignatius.com)
Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima   (www.ignatius.com)